Use of ultrasound in determining treatment for avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus (rugger jersey finger): a case report.

Avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus (rugger jersey finger) commonly occurs in athletes as a result of forced extension of a flexed distal interphalangeal joint. Ultrasound can be a useful tool in defining the anatomy of a tendon avulsion when no fracture is present. In subacute situations, the degree of tendon retraction has important implications for the treatment of these common injuries. Use of ultrasound for closed flexor tendon injuries has not been covered enough in the hand surgery literature. We report on the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in evaluating and treating subacute avulsion injuries to the flexor digitorum profundus.